Human Rights, Africa Branch - Intern

Job Description

Work Location: Burundi

Expected duration: 01 Sept 2026 - 28 Feb 2027

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern shall support OHCHR in fulfilling its mission:

• To work for the protection of all human rights for all people;
• To help empower people to realize their rights; and
• To assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented.

Daily responsibilities of the intern, under the general supervision of the Senior Human Rights Adviser (HRA), will depend on the individual’s background and duties may include but not be limited to compiling information on human rights, analysing key issues, collecting information and documents on specific human rights topics. In particular, the intern may:

• Assist the HRA and staff in the systematic collection and analysis of information regarding the human rights situation in Burundi and subregion, including from diplomacy perspective;
• Assist in the preparation of reports, documents and other written materials thereon such as Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) documents;
• Support the HRA team in researching and drafting documents on normative and institutional developments of human rights in Burundi as well as on incidents or cases of alleged human rights violations;
• Assist with responses to requests for information relating to the human rights situation in the country and the subregion;
• Assist in the organization of activities as part of the HRA workplan;
• Assist in the arrangements of meetings, and take minutes of meetings;
• Perform other related duties requested by the supervisor, as appropriate.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat internship programme applicants must, at the time of their submission, be enrolled in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (i.e. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree); be enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master’s degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or have completed an aforementioned academic degree, preferably in the area of law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related field, AND, if selected, must commence the internship on the date indicated in the Acceptance letter.

APPLICANTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMME.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English or French is required, working knowledge of the other is an asset. Knowledge of Kirundi or Kiswahili is not desirable but is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS019 BANK ACCOUNTS.

Deadline : Feb 1, 2026